Derby v Sheffield United: Another Ram Raid at Pride Park
It’s not been a welcome return to the Championship for Derby. Alongside Burnley, the Rams have scored the fewest league goals so far this term - one. And things aren’t all that likely to vastly improve here as their recent encounters with Sheffield United rarely amount to a goal rush. Alas who needs a goal rush when there’s a £200,000 jackpot on Footy 15 waiting to be won.
Sheffield United won both of their last two trips to Pride Park with a 1-0 scoreline and should they follow suit here, it will be their 40th league victory over the Rams. The Blades, having been in Derby’s position this time last year, have seemingly rediscovered their Championship feet. They are unbeaten in their last five competitive matches, conceding only five goals in this period. Not great news for a team who have trouble finding the net…or even finding the target.
Derby have hit the most shots off target in the Championship this season - 28 and I suppose you could go with the thinking, hit enough of them and one of them has to stick eventually; that’s the law of averages isn’t it. But the fact still remains the Rams have only scored four goals in their last nine league home matches and have only managed to score two goals in four meetings with Sheffield United.
Derby’s last home league victory was almost exactly a year ago - 17 September 2007 with a 1-0 win over Newcastle. Granted, we are all well away of their appalling record in the Premier League last season but they have also played two home games so far this season. The first was against League One promotees Doncaster Rovers which they lost 1-0 and the second against Southampton which they also lost 1-0.
Sheffield United have been on their travels three times this season - twice in the league and one in the League Cup - and showing little signs of the earlier season travel sickness they had last year enjoying wins against Blackpool and Huddersfield.
Pundits Pick: Championship fixtures are at times tricky so double up on your prediction and take a step closer to that £200,000 Footy 15 jackpot (draw and away win)
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Tags: Blades, Championship, Derby County, footy 15, Match Preview, Rams, Sheffield United
